Dr. Apaak calls for a rethink of higher education financing across Africa

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has called for a major rethink of how higher education is financed across Africa, arguing that existing systems must adapt to the rapid changes in technology and the labour market.

Speaking at the conference of the Association of African Higher Education Financing Agencies (AAHEFA), Dr. Apaak said the issue goes beyond funding universities and students, stressing that it is central to Africa’s development.

“This is not simply a conference about higher education financing. It is a conversation about whether Africa’s young people will have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills to participate meaningfully in the economies of tomorrow.”

He said Africa’s youthful population could become a major economic advantage if young people have access to quality education, relevant skills and employment opportunities.

“Without those opportunities, demographic growth becomes pressure rather than promise.”

Dr. Apaak said higher education financing should therefore be viewed as a strategic investment in human capital rather than simply government expenditure.

He noted that demand for tertiary education is rising at a time when governments face fiscal constraints, universities are under pressure to expand and families are struggling with increasing costs.

He also pointed to the changing demands of the labour market, including the growing importance of artificial intelligence, digital literacy, data analysis, problem-solving and adaptability.

“Our financing systems must evolve alongside our education systems. We cannot finance the future using only the assumptions of the past.”

The conference brings together higher education financing agencies and stakeholders from across Africa to discuss ways of improving access, sustainability and efficiency in student financing.